Michael Carroll Green's Blog (239)

Tomatillos this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week from the SummerCertified Farmers’ Market. Available from several local farms, our Tomatillos are all locally-grown and are available in both the familiar green/yellow variety and the less commonly seen purple variety. Many people…

Heirloom Tomatoes are this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week from the SummerCertified Farmers’ Market. Available from several local farms, Heirloom Tomatoes continue to gain popularity at Farmers’ Markets and other outlets, both because of their variety, and because of their superior flavor.

Heirloom Tomatoes, which vary in size, color, shape, texture and flavor, are prized by chefs and home…

Gaya Melons are this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week from the Summer Certified Farmers’ Market. Gaya Melons are early bearing hybrid melons that were originally developed in Japan, but which have been grown both in Southern California and in Mexico for several years. They have an ivory-colored, thin rind with occasional green…

First of the season California Apricots are this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week from the 2014 Summer Certified Farmers’ Market. California is the undisputed leader in Apricot production in the United States, producing 95% of the annual Apricot harvest. Most California Apricots are grown…

Locally-grown California Peaches are this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week. Organic and/or pesticide-free early season peaches are available at all three Certified Farmers’ Market locations, and from several local farmers. Varieties vary with the farms, but most of the early peaches are Super Rich, Queencrest or Sugar Time - all yellow peach varieties that develop early enough to be available for harvest in May.

Fresh Cucumbers are this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week from the Certified Farmers’ Markets. Choose from English (also known as burpless) cucumbers, pickling cucumbers - even Persian cucumbers! They’re all locally-grown and delicious, whether you want to eat them fresh, or use them to make pickles, garnishes or salads. Cucumbers are not just delicious either. They’re also good for you, containing lots of vitamins and minerals, as well as…

First of the season Plums are this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week from the valley’s Certified Farmers’ Markets. Available from Murray Farms and Bautista Creek Farms, these early Plums are best when eaten fresh, and have a sweet taste with a slightly tart finish. Although it is a bit early for most California-grown Plums, this year’s weather has led to an unusually early crop of this tasty fruit. As the season continues, a wider…

This week’s Fresh Pick of the Week from the Certified Farmers’ Markets is the perfect Fresh Pick for Mother’s Day. Sylvia Garza, owner of one of our local food cottage businesses at the markets, named her business, Qué Mami Organics, in honor of her mother. “Qué Mami (What a Mommy) was a term I used to describe my mother, Elvira, when I was young.” Sylvia says. “She earned this term of endearment for the extraordinary job she did as a…

Boysenberries, Olallieberries, and Blackberries are the first Fresh Pick of the Week from the 2014 Summer Certified Farmers’ Market. The Summer Market, which opens inside the Palm Springs Pavilion on Saturday, June 1st, has a variety of fresh, California-grown berries to help valley residents welcome the Summer Season to our valley.

Several varieties of Blackberries can be found at the market, and all of them are descended from…

First of the season California-grown Cherries are the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of Summer, and a delicious way to introduce this year’s crop of California Stone Fruits. Cherries are also this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week from the Coachella Valley Certified Farmers’ Markets. Several varieties are available, just in time for Memorial Day, including Bing, Royal Anne and more. BingCherries are large, dark…

Fresh, locally-grown Cilantro is this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week from all locations of the valley’s Certified Farmers’ Markets. Cilantro, also known as Coriander or Chinese Parsley, is a pungent annual herb. Although it is native to Southern Europe, North Africa, and Southwestern Asia, Cilantro is now grown and used throughout the world. All parts of the plant are edible, but the two parts that are most often used are…

Summer Squash, this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week, is already making its debut at the valley’s Certified Farmers’ Markets. This versatile fruit (that’s right – although we all think of Summer Squash as a vegetable, it’s technically a fruit!) is one of America’s favorite side dishes, and although we mostly consume the fruit (harvested while the rinds are still tender), every part of the Summer Squash plant is edible (including the female…

Peppers are this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week from the SummerCertified Farmers’ Market, and a variety of colorful and flavorful Peppers can be seen adorning practically every booth. Jaime Farms has one of the widest varieties of peppers, including Anaheim, Hot Hungarian, Fresno,…

Although the 1991 movie, Fried Green Tomatoes, made them into a household name throughout the world, Green Tomatoes have a culinary history that goes well beyond the traditional Southern Side Dish. And that’s why Green Tomatoes are this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week at the valley’s three Certified Farmers’…

Locally-grown Asparagus is this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week at the valley’s Certified Farmers’ Markets, and this year’s crop is both delicious and abundant! Asparagus has been used since early times, both for its delicate flavor, and for its diuretic properties. It was cultivated by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans - all of whom ate it fresh in Spring and Summer, and dried in Winter.

First of the season locally-grown Green Beans (or string beans or snap beans) are this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week from the Certified Farmers’ Markets. The ideal green bean should have a firm, fleshy and sweet pod, but also have well-formed beans inside. They should also be tender and have a bright green color. Ours are hand-picked…

Live Herbs and Plant Starts for your Spring garden are this week’s fresh pick(s) of the week from the Certified Farmers’ Market. Just in time for planting here in Southern California, these locally grown LiveHerbs and Plant Starts are already acclimatized and ready to be transplanted into containers, or…

Locally-grown Strawberries are this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week from theCertified Farmers’ Markets. Peak Strawberry season in California runs from March through August, but because of our wonderful California climate, California-grown Strawberries are generally available year-round. In fact,…

Guavas are this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week from the Certified Farmers’ Markets. Guavas are native to Mexico, Central America and Northern South America, but have been naturalized throughout the world. The most common species, and the one we have at the market, is the Apple Guava.